The 68th edition of the Grammy Awards was held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the iconic Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, delivering a night of big wins, surprise moments, and tough disappointments—especially for Nigerian music fans.
Hosted for the sixth and final time by comedian Trevor Noah, the ceremony celebrated global musical excellence across genres. While artistes from the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia took home major honours, Nigeria’s biggest music exports — Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr — all left the ceremony without awards.
A Tough Night for Nigerian Afrobeats
Despite strong nominations and global chart success, Nigerian artistes were unable to convert their nominations into wins this year. In the Best African Music Performance category, South African star Tyla emerged victorious with Push 2 Start, edging out Nigerian-heavy contenders including Burna Boy’s Love, Davido and Omah Lay’s With You, and Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s Gimme Dat.
The outcome sparked mixed reactions online, with fans praising African representation at the Grammys while also expressing disappointment that Nigeria’s Afrobeats dominance was not reflected in wins.
The “Big Four” Awards: Who Took the Crown
The night’s most prestigious categories were dominated by global heavyweights:
- Song of the Year: Wildflower — Billie Eilish
- Record of the Year: Luther — Kendrick Lamar feat. SZA
- Album of the Year: Debí Tirar Más Fotos — Bad Bunny
- Best New Artist: Olivia Dean
These wins reflected the Grammys’ continued embrace of genre diversity, with pop, rap, and Latin music sharing the spotlight.
Genre Highlights Across the Night
Pop and dance categories were led by Lady Gaga, who won Best Pop Vocal Album (Mayhem) and Best Dance/Pop Recording (Abracadabra). Kendrick Lamar further cemented his dominance, winning Best Rap Album (GNX) and Best Rap Song.
In R&B, Kehlani claimed both Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song, while Leon Thomas took home Best R&B Album.
Rock, alternative, jazz, country, film, and classical categories also delivered major moments, with wins for Turnstile, The Cure, and legendary composer John Williams.
Why This Matters in Nigerian Entertainment
The 2026 Grammys underline a critical reality for Nigerian music:
- Global Presence Is Growing: Nigerian artistes are consistently nominated, showing sustained international relevance.
- Competition Is Fierce: African and global categories are becoming more competitive, with stronger continental representation.
- Recognition Is Evolving: Grammy wins are no longer guaranteed by popularity alone; industry voting dynamics matter more than ever.
- Afrobeats Is Still Winning Globally: Even without trophies, Nigerian music remains commercially and culturally dominant worldwide.
Industry analysts say Grammy losses do not diminish Nigeria’s influence but highlight the need for stronger global industry positioning, lobbying, and long-term artistic strategy.
Performances, Fashion and Cultural Moments
The ceremony featured high-energy performances from Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, and Sabrina Carpenter, while the red carpet delivered unforgettable fashion statements that dominated social media.
What Happens Next
As the dust settles, Nigerian artistes are expected to refocus on upcoming global tours, album releases, and international collaborations. With Afrobeats still shaping global soundscapes, industry observers believe Grammy recognition for Nigerian musicians remains a matter of when, not if.
For now, the 68th Grammys will be remembered as a night of global triumphs — and a reminder that Nigeria’s music journey on the world’s biggest stage is still unfolding.
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